Arrow Question?

[superdown]

I just started shooting archery about a month ago and i was reading on archery talk and everyone's arrows are shorter than their draw length how is that possible ? I shoot a mission craze @60lbs and 29in draw that's were it is set on the bow i had it set up and the arrows cut at the federal way Wholesale sports. My arrow from knock to the end of the arrow with NO tip measures 30 1/4 inches?

[h20hunter]

I don't think it can be? Are target bows set up differently maybe?

[et1702]

If you are shooting a fall away rest or some other rest that mounts behind the riser, you can shoot an arrow that is shorter than your draw length.  Also, the newer speed bow risers are pushed farther back (i.e., built-in over draw).  So, yes, arrows can be shorter than your true DL.

ET

[bowjunkie]

 

[superdown]

I do shoot a trophy taker drop away so that makes sense.

[Jellymon]

Draw length is measured from throat of the knock to the throat of the grip(some companies use the rest hole) plus 1 3/4". So your draw length measurement actually ends up in front of your shelf. And since your rest is located behind your shelf your arrow can be shorter than your draw length. Riser configuration has nothing to do with draw length.
So if you were to measure from the throat of the nock to your grip you would get around 27 1/4". Add the 1 3/4 you will end up with 29".

[Jellymon]

If you picture where your rest would be you can see why your arrow can be shorter than your draw length.

[superdown]

Is it necessary to have my arrows cut down? I am able to keep a 6in group at 40yds.

[Jellymon]

As long as theyre tuning fine there is nothing wrong with having your arrows too long.
A good rule of thumb for future arrows would be to cut them even with the front of the shelf a full draw.

[et1702]

Draw length is measured from throat of the knock to the throat of the grip(some companies use the rest hole) plus 1 3/4". So your draw length measurement actually ends up in front of your shelf. And since your rest is located behind your shelf your arrow can be shorter than your draw length. Riser configuration has nothing to do with draw length.
So if you were to measure from the throat of the nock to your grip you would get around 27 1/4". Add the 1 3/4 you will end up with 29".

If you are shooting a recurve or an old school bow where the shelf is in line w/limb bolts this is true.  Otherwise, on newer style bows, you can get away with shooting shafts that are 1" to 2" less than your "true" DL.  I have a 31.5 in DL and I shoot my shafts cut at 29.75"

Only way to tell for your specific bow is to take a full length shaft, nock it, place in rest and draw it back.  Make sure you are up against the wall (i.e., drawn back as far as it will go).  Then, have someone put a mark on the shaft where the bolt hole is in the riser for mounting your rest (which usually corresponds to the throat of your grip).  This is a safe length of shaft for you to shoot.  Note, some people like to mark the shaft equal to the front of the riser, which would put the BH out in front of the bow at full draw.  But, with the cut-out style risers avaialbe today, I am comfortable with the BH within the shelf.

More info at the following link if you are interested:

http://www.huntersfriend.com/carbon_arrows/hunting_arrows_selection_guide_chapter_2.htm

ET

[Jellymon]

What I said is true no matter what compound your shooting. Even the omen with a 5 1/2 brace is measured this way. Other than that we are saying the same thing.

[et1702]

What I said is true no matter what compound your shooting. Even the omen with a 5 1/2 brace is measured this way. Other than that we are saying the same thing.

Agreed, I'm not arguing w/you about DL.  It is what it is.  I was just trying to answer the OPs original question (i.e., how are guys shooting arrows shorter than their draw length, and is this possible).

ET

[Jellymon]

Just a misunderstanding.

[mountainman]

If it is to be used or hunting, I would recommend having your arrows cut to an inch longer then the front of your bow measured at full draw. Once you screw a broadhead to the front of that arrow, it is best to have it longer then your A.M.O. length, so the razor sharp (hopefullly) broadhead will be in front of your index finger of your bow-hand at full draw. If you are drawing on a big buck, snow swirling, and you have your knuckle raised higher then normal on your bow-hand, you dont want to slice that knuckle and ruin your hunt! You can save 10-20 grains and a few feet per second by running the thin line in arrow length and cutting them shorter, but not a safe trade-off IMHO.